Valor improves burn down and residual control in soybeans

Soybean growers in 2002 will have a better opportunity to use Valor, a soybean herbicide that was registered in the spring of 2001.

Because of the late registration, U.S. growers used the herbicide on just 83,000 acres across the U.S. last year, says Alan Kurtz, a Valent technical representative. But Kurtz told crop consultants, agronomists and weed scientists attending the December North Central Weed Science Society meeting in Milwaukee that he expects its use to increase this year.

Valor increases the speed at which weeds die during a burn-down treatment. It also increases the spectrum of weeds controlled when used in combinations with glyphosate products or 2,4-D in burn-down programs.

Weeds controlled by Valor in burn-down programs include chickweed, dandelion, mare’s tail and wild mustard. It also gives residual control for weeds such as dandelion, kochia, lambsquarters, mare’s tail, black nightshade, pigweed, common ragweed and wild mustard. Kurtz adds that Valor can play a major role in waterhemp control.

Under no-till, farmers may apply Valor as part of a burn-down treatment within two weeks of planting. Kurtz advises farmers using conventional tillage to apply Valor preemergence for residual control. Under postemergence treatments, farmers may combine it with Cobra or Phoenix on conventional soybeans, and with Roundup on Roundup Ready soybeans.